Doc Martin steals the show

The British Horse Societys Drawing the Line campaign to halt the indiscriminate breeding of horses, received a huge boost with an exciting and tense evening at its Cambridge charity auction. In excess of 33,000 has been raised and with further auctions to take place later this year, we are sure that the campaign will prove to be a great success.

Wednesday 13 October saw Cheffins of Cambridge flying the famous BHS red and white flags where more than 80 bidders gathered at the Clifton Street auction house, all with their eyes on taking home their favourite lot.
The opening address was given by Jenny Pitman OBE, the first woman to train a Grand National winner. Jenny spoke out about her passion for horses and her support of the campaign and the work of The British Horse Society.

Bidding commenced at 7pm and the first lot (a beautiful oil on canvas painting, Arabian Filly by Laura Barber Riley) got the evening off to a flying start by selling for more than its estimate at 220. The bids came in thick and fast throughout the evening, but the clear star of the show was the walk-on part in the TV series Doc Martin, which raised almost 3,000 for the campaign!

Other notable lots included Katy Sodeaus Mare & Foals painting which sold for 1,200 and Debbie Gillinghams Tack a Jack achieving more than twice its estimate at 550.

As well as the guests who attended the evening, commission bids and phone and internet bidders meant that the items were highly contested.
The signed celebrity artwork, miscellanea and the unique experiences all proved to be very popular, with a framed set of Godolphin racing silks signed by Frankie Dettori taking their new owner to the winners enclosure at 400 double its estimate!

Sales of BHS Drawing the Line merchandise and many kind donations throughout the year have all helped to reach its current total, and the funds will be used to help bring an end to the unnecessary suffering of equines.

Lee Hackett, Senior Executive (Welfare), commented: The support we have received for this campaign and the huge sum it has so far raised, just goes to show how important people feel the cause to be.

Whatever we can do to reduce irresponsible and indiscriminate breeding will benefit the whole UK equine population, and the extraordinary generosity of our many donors and supporters will allow us to begin to make this real difference. We would like to thank everyone who helped to make the auction night a great success.

The British Horse Society wish to thank everyone who helped to make the auction night a great success.